External Recovery: Gels and Poultices That Prevent Problems Before They Start

This article is part of the 2026 Preventive Musculoskeletal Health Report. View all 10 sections or download the full PDF below.

Internal support through hydration is the first layer of prevention. The second layer is what you do on the outside of the horse. This is where gels, poultices, and wraps can either be an occasional reaction to soreness or a daily system that keeps inflammation from ever getting a foothold.

External recovery is where small post ride habits prevent big future problems. Tendons, ligaments, and high load muscle groups all benefit when circulation is supported and heat is managed right after work.

1. Why External Recovery Matters After Every Ride

Even a normal work session creates micro stress in the tissues. Muscles work, joints cycle, tendons and ligaments manage load. Recovery begins the moment the work stops.

• If circulation slows too quickly, waste products linger.
• If inflammation is left alone, small hot spots build over time.
• If tightness is ignored, range of motion quietly shrinks.

External recovery work keeps that from happening. It supports the body while it does what it already knows how to do clear out stress, cool down, and reset for the next ride.

2. Draw It Out Gel for Daily Soft Tissue Support

Draw It Out Gel is built for daily use. It is sensation free, easy to apply, and designed so riders can use it before and after rides without worrying about irritation or strong smells.

Key uses include:

• Along the back and loin area after schooling.
• Over stifles, hocks, and other high load joints.
• On areas that tend to get tight during heavy work or hauling.

Consistent gel use helps:

• Support circulation and comfort in working muscles.
• Reduce day to day micro tightness.
• Keep horses feeling more willing under saddle.

3. MasterMudd EquiBrace for Targeted Restorative Work

MasterMudd EquiBrace is your heavier hitter when a horse needs more focused support. It is built around a restorative arnica driven profile and is ideal for areas that have carried extra load.

Common use cases:

• After intense schooling or competition runs.
• On legs that tend to stock up or feel heavy the next day.
• Over specific muscles that the rider or vet has flagged as frequent hot spots.

Where daily gel is your baseline, MasterMudd becomes the tool you reach for when you want a stronger push toward comfort and recovery in a specific zone.

4. Poultices and Wraps to Manage Heat and Swelling

Poultices and wraps are the classic tools for managing heat in the limbs. Used well, they help:

• Pull excess heat from lower legs.
• Support circulation during overnight stall time.
• Reduce filling after intense work or travel.

The goal with poultice is not to wait for a problem. It is to support hard working legs so they never become a problem.

5. Building a Simple External Recovery Routine

A full external recovery program does not have to be complicated or time consuming. For most horses, a three to five minute routine after work is enough to make a real difference.

• Step 1: Hose or brush legs clean and check for heat or sensitivity.
• Step 2: Apply Draw It Out Gel to backs, stifles, or any frequently tight areas.
• Step 3: Use MasterMudd on zones that carried extra load that day.
• Step 4: Add poultice and wraps on legs that worked hard, hauled far, or tend to fill.

This simple pattern turns recovery into a habit rather than an emergency response.

The Takeaway: External Recovery Protects the Investment You Already Made

Feed, training, farrier work, and show fees all represent a real investment. External recovery is the relatively small daily step that protects that investment. It keeps joints, legs, and muscles comfortable enough to keep doing the job you ask of them.

When external recovery work becomes normal, soundness stops feeling like luck and starts feeling like the result of clear choices made after every ride.

This article is Section 4 of the 2026 Preventive Musculoskeletal Health Report. Section 5 will publish December 29 and will introduce the Draw It Out 2026 Prehab System that combines internal hydration with consistent external recovery.